“Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit

July 14-17 and 19-20, Thursday-Sunday and Tuesday-Wednesday, 2pm/Sun, 2:30pm/Thurs. and Wed, 3pm/Sat, 8pm/Thurs, Fri, Tues. and Wed, 8:30pm/Sat, “Hunchback of Notre Dame,” this brand-new musical production is an epic and emotionally charged retelling of the famous Victor Hugo love story of the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, the scorned bell-ringer Quasimodo and the dashing Captain Phoebus, set in 15th century Paris. For the first time two masters of stage and screen, composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin) and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) join forces to adapt this time-honored story for the musical stage. The music’s orchestral power and choral beauty, along with bold and dramatic theatrics create a powerful rendition of this timeless tale. Content Advisory: PG13 – Contains adult themes. While this show is based on the animated Disney film and includes many of the same songs, the plot and themes follow more closely to the original, and significantly darker, novel, $47 and up, Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main Street, Ogunquit. FMI: 207-646-5511, www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.
July 14, Thursday, 7pm, “DaPonte String Quartet Summer Series I: Clarinet Envy,” the DaPonte String Quartet launches its 25th Summer Season with Series I, “Clarinet Envy,” a pair of classic clarinet quintets (Mozart’s Quintet in A Major and Brahms’s Quintet in B Minor Op. 115) featuring guest artist Mark Dover, $25, free/under 21, Wells-Ogunquit Meeting House, 938 Post Road, Wells. FMI: 207-646-4775, www.daponte.org.
July 15-17, Friday-Sunday, 7:30pm/Fri. and Sat, 2:30pm/Sun, “The Unexpected Guest,” set in a foggy estate in Wales, this quintessential mystery thriller opens when a stranger, after running his car into a ditch, walks into the house looking for help. Instead, he finds the owner of the estate shot dead, with his wife standing over him, holding a gun. From there, the plot twists and turns with Christie’s trademark delicious aplomb. Suspects and suspicions abound and old grudges are dredged to the surface as each member of the isolated household comes under scrutiny, and all try to discover who among them is the murderer. Featuring one of Christie’s classic surprise endings, THE UNEXPECTED GUEST is sure to keep audiences guessing right up to the final curtain! Featuring Harlan Baker, Jake Berger, Charlie Cole, Rebecca Cole, Matthew Fagerberg, William McDonough III, Dana Packard, Nancy Packard, Jennifer Porter, and Stowell Watters, $18-$20, Saco River Theatre, 28 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills. FMI: 207-929-5412, www.sacorivertheatre.org.
July 16-17, Saturday-Sunday, 9am, “14th Annual ‘Val Ranco’ Native American Pow-Wow,” features music, dance, crafts, demonstrations and more, Hope Hobbs Gazebo, Wells Harbor Park, Harbor Road, Wells. FMI: 207-646-2451, www.wellschamber.org.
July 17, Sunday, 4pm, “Buzzed Botany,” Cordials have been used for generations to heal, soothe and nourish! Learn all about the magical makings of herbal infused spirits and the history of plants’ use in liquor, and make a cordial of your very own to take home. You’ll also get a book of recipes and a guarantee of no headache the next morning, $30, Frinklepod Farm, 244 Log Cabin Road, Arundel. FMI: www.frinklepodfarm.com.
July 19, Tuesday, 7pm, “Connor Garvey Concert,” Connor Garvey returns to his hometown in a benefit concert for the South Berwick Public Library, Hors d’oeuvres included with tickets and a cash bar is available, $20/door, $15/advance, Spring Hill Restaurant, 117 Pond Road, South Berwick. FMI: 207-384-3308, www.brownpapertickets.com.
July 19, Tuesday, 8pm, “Full Moon Walk,” meet the group at the rear of the Southern Maine Health Center parking lot in Biddeford. The route includes a pond that has seen a great deal of beaver activity. Learn about the plants, trees and wildlife along the trail. Learn the history of the Eastern Trail. The walk takes approximately 90 minutes. No flashlights or pets please – Free to attend – Leave your electronics behind for a while and join us for a trek under the moon, Southern Maine Health Center, Biddeford. FMI: 207-283-4487, www.easterntrail.org.